Sexual Health Products

Sexual dysfunction in men

In men, sexual dysfunction refers to difficulties engaging in sexual
intercourse. Sexual dysfunction encompasses a variety of disorders that
affect sex drive (libido), the ability to achieve or maintain an erection
(impotence), ejaculation, and the ability to achieve orgasm.

Sexual dysfunction may result from either physical or psychologic factors.
Many sexual problems result from a combination of both. Men sometimes
pressure themselves or feel pressured by a partner to perform well sexually
and become distressed when they cannot (performance anxiety). Performance
anxiety can be troublesome and further worsen a man's ability to enjoy
sexual relations.

Erectile dysfunction is the most common sexual dysfunction
in men. Erectile dysfunction (impotence) is the inability to achieve or
maintain an erection. Every man is occasionally unable to achieve an erection.
This is normal. Erectile dysfunction occurs when the problem is frequent
or continuous. Erectile dysfunction becomes more common with age but is
not part of the normal aging process. About half of men 65 years of age
and three fourths of men 80 years of age have erectile dysfunction.

Decreased libido also affects some men. Decreased libido
is a reduction in sex drive. Sex drive varies greatly among men. Different
men find different degrees of libido satisfactory. Libido may be decreased
temporarily by conditions such as fatigue or anxiety. Libido also tends
to gradually decrease as a man ages.

Occasionally, libido can be low throughout a life. Most often low libido
develops after years of normal sexual desire. Psychologic factors, such
as depression, anxiety, and relationship problems, are often the cause.
Some drugs and decreased levels of testosterone can also lower libido.

Sexual function is affected by physical and psychologic factors. It may
be affected by culture, emotions, age, previous sexual experiences, use
of drugs, and the presence of disorders. Sexual dysfunction may involve
pain during intercourse or a disturbance in sexual response, affecting
desire, arousal, or orgasm. About 30 to 50% of women experience sexual
dysfunction at some time during their life.

Dyspareunia is pain during sexual intercourse.

Vaginismus is an involuntary contraction of muscles around
the opening of the vagina that makes sexual intercourse painful or impossible.

Decreased libido is a reduction in the sex drive.

Orgasmic disorder is the delay in or absence of sexual
climax (orgasm) despite sufficiently long and intense sexual stimulation.
The amount and type of stimulation required for orgasm varies greatly
from woman to woman. Most women can reach orgasm when the clitoris is
stimulated, but only about half of women regularly reach orgasm during
sexual intercourse. About 1 of 10 women never reach orgasm.